Assistant County Administrator

Beaufort County; Beaufort (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Holidays

Sick leave

Job summary

Beaufort County seeks a seasoned administrator to provide high‑level support to the Deputy County Administrator, County Administrator and County Council. The role requires broad knowledge of county operations, policies, and fiscal/operational research.

The position directs multiple departments (Airports, Engineering, Facilities, Public Works), guides major projects, and advances long-range plans while coordinating with various agencies and elected officials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required.
• Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or other relevant advanced degree is highly preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in local government administration.
• At least three (3) years in a senior leadership role such as an administrator/manager, deputy administrator/manager or assistant administrator/manager.
• Strong understanding of public policy and government operations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff and conducts performance appraisals.
• Coordinates, assigns and reviews work, sets schedules and monitors progress.
• Assists the Deputy County Administrator in operational planning and admin duties.
• Plans and directs administration of Airports, Engineering, Facilities, and Public Works.
• Prepares and manages major projects, studies, reports, and long-range plans.
• Researches government issues and drafts policies, resolutions, contracts, and procedures.
• Interfaces with local, state, and federal agencies to coordinate projects.
• Represents the County on committees and attends County Council meetings.
• Reviews draft agenda requests and assists in procurement of professional services.
• Prepares reports, policies, procedures, resolutions, and ordinances.
• Attends staff and County Council meetings to provide recommendations.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Public policy understanding

Government operations

Multi-project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Description

The purpose of this position is to perform a variety of complex professional, administrative and technical support functions for the Deputy County Administrator, County Administrator and County Council. Position requires a broad understanding of the County organization, policies, procedures and the ability to perform fiscal and operational research.

Examples of Duties

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
• Coordinates, assigns and reviews work and establishes work schedules; maintains standards; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions; gives advice and direction as needed.
• Assists the Deputy County Administrator in performing operational planning and a wide variety of administrative duties, including program coordination and organization, and anticipating future needs of the County.
• Plans and directs the administration and activities of the County's Airports Department, Engineering Department, Facilities Department, and Public Works Department.
• Prepares and/or manages the process for a variety of major projects, studies, reports, short and long-range plans, presentations, and related information for decision-making purposes to address concerns identified by the general public, elected officials or management; conducts research, analysis, and prepares recommendations regarding proposals; coordinates activities with other departments, as needed or required.
• Research governmental issues and laws affecting county standards, policies, and procedures; provides information or recommendations for the development and implementation of these standards, policies and procedures, including preparation of drafts for resolutions, ordinances, contracts, administrative policies, etc. as assigned.
• Interfaces with local, state, and federal agencies as needed to coordinate various projects.
• Represents the County on committees/task forces and attends meetings of the County Council, as required.
• Reviews draft agenda action requests for the County Council according to preparation guidelines to ensure completeness.
• Assists in the development of solicitation and selection of professional services, when needed.
• Prepares reports and drafts policies and procedures as required.
• Prepares resolutions and ordinances related to policy matters under consideration by the County Council.
• Recommends, reviews and/or conducts research and report preparation for the County Council.
• Attends staff and County Council meetings and conferences to provide assistance and make recommendations to the Deputy County Administrator on various matters concerning the County.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education required.
• Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or other relevant advanced degree is highly preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in local government administration.
• At least three (3) years in a senior leadership role such as an administrator/manager, deputy administrator/manager or assistant administrator/manager experience is needed for consideration.
• Strong understanding of public policy and government operations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously.

Special Certifications And Licenses

• South Carolina Professional Engineer License.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

Supplemental Information

All applicants tentatively selected for a position with Beaufort County Council will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for the illegal use of drugs and to a background check prior to appointment. Employment is contingent upon clearing both the drug screening and background investigation. Beaufort County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Benefits

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term & short-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.